DOH launches mass testing of close contacts of Delta cases in Calabarzon

LUCENA CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) has initiated mass antigen testing to all close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 Delta variant cases in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) to prevent the spread of the highly transmissible virus.

The project dubbed as “Project DELTA” (Detect Early Local Transmission through Antigen Testing) is being implemented in areas in the regions where the Delta variant have been identified, the DOH-Calabarzon said in a statement on Saturday.

Dr. Eduardo Janairo, DOH-Calabarzon director, explained that those who had undergone antigen testing were direct contacts of individuals who were infected with the Delta variant virus.

“We need to strengthen the implementation of the prevent, detect, isolate, treat and re-integrate response strategies against the COVID-19 virus,” Janairo said.

The DOH-Calabarzon disclosed that as of August 13, there were 111 Delta variant cases in the region scattered in Cavite, 41; Laguna, 35; Batangas, 14; Rizal, 14; and Quezon, 7.

“There are no active cases recorded,” Janairo emphasized.

Out of 111 Delta cases, 48 have recovered, 34 are subject for verification and 27 have pending retest result.
Two patients who had the COVID-19 Delta variant died.

Janairo said local government health workers have been continuously conducting mass testing in different barangays with identified Delta variant cases.

“Identification of cases should start at the community so we could isolate them immediately and treat them so the virus wouldn’t spread,” Janairo said.

The Delta variant is said to be more transmissible than other COVID-19 variants, health authorities said.